Van Cleef in action!

[Deleted member 626500]

I love the WG MOP, it's so gorgeous! The MOP is a cool silver overtone which is beautiful in its own way (contrast to the pink overtone MOP used in YG).

It looks great next to the WG GMOP. The clasp is 100% fabulous & creative you. I would have expected nothing less than that extra touch from you! I also do love the WG pieces on you; it's very cool and crispy.

Here is an idea... I hope you love WG MOP enough to get a 5. If you get a 5, you could build a white to black gradient necklace.
Here's how to string it, in this order... The first 5 bracelet is WG MOP, next is WG GMOP. last bracelet is WG oynx. Then you wear it with the WG MOP at the bottom as that is the "light" shade that will glow and also what you have least of vs GMOP and oynx which are both dark shades (e.g. 5 "light" motifs vs. 10 "dark" motifs). Try that and see if you like it.

By the way, I love the neckline of your jacket. It's beautiful the way you wear it in the photo. I love that asymmetrical look. However, if I am not mistaken, I can see it can also button-up to create a funnel neck/oversized cowlneck. I can see that would be a great look as well; very nice.

Here is a visual of what I'm trying to explain to create the gradient necklace so you can see if you even like it. This is done with Tahitian pearls, however, the black is never a solid black as it would be with onyx. A VA necklace like this will be very striking with oynx... I think! Oh, and now you get to show two clasps... super fabulous & creative!

View attachment 5392644

Those degrade pearls! TDF!

 

[BigAkoya]

I haven‘t forgotten my striped shirt promise! I was organising my closet today and indeed found one striped top, so it’s coming…
In the meantime I took this quick shot. I think a strong primary colour really makes the WG pop! This is the ten motif linked with the five motif.
View attachment 5392486

It's beautiful, and I was hoping you would have a mod shot of it worn long (10+5).
I agree, the necklace really pops with a solid background as in your royal blue top... stunning!

I also love your WG Clover and Signature combo. It looks great next to the WG guilloche as the Signature really makes your look all about the brilliant metal shine of your pieces. Fabulous combo!
(Note to self: Really try and see if you can live with the jingle of wearing two bangles. )

 

[BigAkoya]

Thank you (I think) for pointing this out. If available, I too would do a 20.
To my surprise the YG Guilloche isn't offered in a 20-motif. It may be because of the weight. I don't know if you've tried it--it's very heavy relative to other Alhambra pieces.
However, that also may be the way it's introduced. For quite some time (maybe 2 years) the BA was only available in a 10-motif, which they later changed.
Hoping for an update on this line--it's quite sunning.

That's a great point about weight. I can see how a 20 would be quite heavy.
However, since we both are pearl lovers and have drowned ourselves in layers of pearl strands, our neck muscles are ready for the weight!

 

[Deleted member 626500]

That's a great point about weight. I can see how a 20 would be quite heavy.
However, since we both are pearl lovers and have drowned ourselves in layers of pearl strands, our neck muscles are ready for the weight!

You're wonderful with thinking things through/advice. Thinking of buying the WG/Chalcedony as a complement to my other WG Alhambra, but now with the Guilloche . . .
Any thoughts about WG 20-motif Guilloche vs. WG/20-Chalcedony? The Chalcedony I could combine w other necklaces. I'm not sure if that would work w Guilloche. Would love to hear your thoughts . . .

 

[BigAkoya]

You're wonderful with thinking things through/advice. Thinking of buying the WG/Chalcedony, but now with the Guilloche . . .
Any thoughts about WG 20-motif Guilloche vs. WG/20-Chalcedony? The Chalcedony I could combine w other necklaces. I'm not sure if that would work w Guilloche. Would love to hear your thoughts . . .

Chalcedony for sure! You could layer it with your onyx for a super striking look. You could layer it with you MOP for a soothing look.
Or, if you want to go all out, you could do WG MOP, WG Chalcedony, WG onyx. Love love love this look!
The cool blue and striations in the chalcedony would be a nice different texture to the silvery MOP and solid onyx. You would need to work on those neck muscles though as three 20s would be super heavy!

If you are considering either chalcedony or WG guilloche to layer, for me, I would get the chalcedony over the guilloche.
The WG guilloche is nice, but as a 20, I don't think it will look great layered with other 20s in stones as now you have the shiny metal competing with colored stones. The eye won't pause; it will keep moving to see all the action going on with the different types of motifs. With colored stones, the eye will just pause, be mesmerized, and want to absorb the colors.

If you wanted an all metal 20, I think the WG hammered is better for layering. The hammered metal makes it more mellow, almost a soft gray in WG. That WG hammered 20 is then more a supporting actor to the star which is pop of the color from the stones.

For me, the beauty of layered 20s is different colored stones in the same quatrefoil shape. It's a stunning look to me.

Another way to think about it is if you would like WG guilloche & WG onyx or WG guilloche & WG MOP.
For me, I would not wear either of these combos. The first combo, WG guilloche & WG onyx, is too harsh (a lot of shiny WG metal next to all black), and the second combo, WG guilloche & WG MOP, is a complete mismatch (a lot of shiny WG metal next to soft MOP). That's just me though, and jewelry is 100% preference. I am certain there are people who love these two combos. It's how you want to wear it and the look you want.

Just my two cents for another point of view. Hope this was helpful.

 

[Deleted member 626500]

Chalcedony for sure! You could layer it with your onyx for a super striking look. You could layer it with you MOP for a soothing look.
Or, if you want to go all out, you could do WG MOP, WG Chalcedony, WG onyx. Love love love this look!
The cool blue and striations in the chalcedony would be a nice different texture to the silvery MOP and solid onyx. You would need to work on those neck muscles though as three 20s would be super heavy!

If you are considering either chalcedony or WG guilloche to layer, for me, I would get the chalcedony over the guilloche.
The WG guilloche is nice, but as a 20, I don't think it will look great layered with other 20s in stones as now you have the shiny metal competing with colored stones. The eye won't pause; it will keep moving to see all the action going on with the different types of motifs. With colored stones, the eye will just pause, be mesmerized, and want to absorb the colors.

If you wanted an all metal 20, I think the WG hammered is better for layering. The hammered metal makes it more mellow, almost a soft gray in WG. That WG hammered 20 is then more a supporting actor to the star which is pop of the color from the stones.

For me, the beauty of layered 20s is different colored stones in the same quatrefoil shape. It's a stunning look to me.

Another way to think about it is if you would like WG guilloche & WG onyx or WG guilloche & WG MOP.
For me, I would not wear either of these combos. The first combo, WG guilloche & WG onyx, is too harsh (a lot of shiny WG metal next to all black), and the second combo, WG guilloche & WG MOP, is a complete mismatch (a lot of shiny WG metal next to soft MOP). That's just me though, and jewelry is 100% preference. I am certain there are people who love these two combos. It's how you want to wear it and the look you want.

Just my two cents for another point of view. Hope this was helpful.

Extremely helpful! As always, you're spot on!

I agree--the Guilloche is so dissimilar (although similar in theme) it will distract from vintage alhambra with the stones. It would have to be a stand-alone piece, but my preference is to wear two together (which I know sounds so pretentious), but if I can, why not, and given the combinations, they can be very harmonious--or not, as in WG/WMOP and WG/onyx. While three, is do-able, it's a bit much, not because it's heavy, but because it's busy. It also gets into gilding-the-lilly territory, at least for me.

As far as the WG-hammered is concerned, my concern is that it could look like aluminum foil, but as with all things VCA . . . probably not! Sigh . . . another piece on the radar. That list just keeps getting longer.

Thank you for your sage advice.

 

[citykitty24]

Wearing my new YG Vintage Alhambra pave pendant today! So happy that it came in.

 

[BigAkoya]

Extremely helpful! As always, you're spot on!

I agree--the Guilloche is so dissimilar (although similar in theme) it will distract from vintage alhambra with the stones. It would have to be a stand-alone piece, but my preference is to wear two together (which I know sounds so pretentious), but if I can, why not, and given the combinations, they can be very harmonious--or not, as in WG/WMOP and WG/onyx. While three, is do-able, it's a bit much, not because it's heavy, but because it's busy. It also gets into gilding-the-lilly territory, at least for me.

As far as the WG-hammered is concerned, my concern is that it could look like aluminum foil, but as with all things VCA . . . probably not! Sigh . . . another piece on the radar. That list just keeps getting longer.

Thank you for your sage advice.

I do not think it's pretentious to pile on jewelry, and the way you layer two 20s is stunning! I think you are right though about piling on three 20s; it will be so busy. The eye is going to go bonkers and not even bother to pause.

I know VCA is pricey; however, most people have no idea about VCA. Zero, zippo. They just think it's a bunch of colorful clover necklaces. For those people, you will come across as a very stylish lady! For those that do know about VCA, it will be 100% admiration of your pieces! A win-win.

Also, food for thought as you pile on...
Many people pile on costume jewelry. Piling on is a fashion statement, not a price (e.g. pretentious) statement.

Jewelry is your thing, so embrace it. Pile it on if you wish; it's your fashion look.
Jewelry is my thing too, and I make no excuses for my love of jewelry. All my friends know I love jewelry. When I wear a bold piece, close friends will compliment my jewelry and sometimes add "you sure love your bling." I make no excuses and never defend myself. I embrace it and respond with a big ear-to-ear grin... "I sure do... I love my bling, it's my thing!"

And by the way, two 20s is not really piling it on; it's very elegant and stylish as in your photos. It's a gorgeous look!

 

[nicole0612]

I love the WG MOP, it's so gorgeous! The MOP is a cool silver overtone which is beautiful in its own way (contrast to the pink overtone MOP used in YG).

It looks great next to the WG GMOP. The clasp is 100% fabulous & creative you. I would have expected nothing less than that extra touch from you! I also do love the WG pieces on you; it's very cool and crispy.

Here is an idea... I hope you love WG MOP enough to get a 5. If you get a 5, you could build a white to black gradient necklace.
Here's how to string it, in this order... The first 5 bracelet is WG MOP, next is WG GMOP. last bracelet is WG oynx. Then you wear it with the WG MOP at the bottom as that is the "light" shade that will glow and also what you have least of vs GMOP and oynx which are both dark shades (e.g. 5 "light" motifs vs. 10 "dark" motifs). Try that and see if you like it.

By the way, I love the neckline of your jacket. It's beautiful the way you wear it in the photo. I love that asymmetrical look. However, if I am not mistaken, I can see it can also button-up to create a funnel neck/oversized cowlneck. I can see that would be a great look as well; very nice.

Here is a visual of what I'm trying to explain to create the gradient necklace so you can see if you even like it. This is done with Tahitian pearls, however, the black is never a solid black as it would be with onyx. A VA necklace like this will be very striking with oynx... I think! Oh, and now you get to show two clasps... super fabulous & creative!

View attachment 5392644

What a fun idea, yes I will try that! I do not have the WG onyx 5 motif though! If I did have the onyx WG 5 I could achieve the look without adding the WG MOP (it would be Onyx WG 5–>WG GMOP –> WG MOP 10). The best thing is that the WG MOP 10 will give me something to wear with my forlorn WG pave earrings, which I did not have when I traded the WG MOP 10 with my sister.
I love these asymmetric funnel neck zip sweater jackets. I have multiple in different colors, it is my version of your striped tops! It is Isabel Marant, and this is the brand I buy for most of my wardrobe staples, and reserve the higher end brands for jackets for the most part. It can be zipped up in multiple configurations and it is so me, you can probably guess that one of my other favorite designers is older Alexander McQueen.

 

[nicole0612]

I do not think it's pretentious to pile on jewelry, and the way you layer two 20s is stunning! I think you are right though about piling on three 20s; it will be so busy. The eye is going to go bonkers and not even bother to pause.

I know VCA is pricey; however, most people have no idea about VCA. Zero, zippo. They just think it's a bunch of colorful clover necklaces. For those people, you will come across as a very stylish lady! For those that do know about VCA, it will be 100% admiration of your pieces! A win-win.

Also, food for thought as you pile on...
Many people pile on costume jewelry. Piling on is a fashion statement, not a price (e.g. pretentious) statement.

Jewelry is your thing, so embrace it. Pile it on if you wish; it's your fashion look.
Jewelry is my thing too, and I make no excuses for my love of jewelry. All my friends know I love jewelry. When I wear a bold piece, close friends will compliment my jewelry and sometimes add "you sure love your bling." I make no excuses and never defend myself. I embrace it and respond with a big ear-to-ear grin... "I sure do... I love my bling, it's my thing!"

And by the way, two 20s is not really piling it on; it's very elegant and stylish as in your photos. It's a gorgeous look!

I think 2 or 3 layered 20s are a beautiful look! No one knows the price of 3x 20s, and those who do probably have them also! I think it is very under the radar to most people.

 

[mesh123]

Wearing my new YG Vintage Alhambra pave pendant today! So happy that it came in.
View attachment 5392752

Congratulations

 

[eternallove4bag]

It was a blue day . . .
Turquoise, Lapis and Blue Agate

Today was a black and white day

My goodness, I was away for a few days and I come back to so much goodness..my eyes missed the eye candy here and your pics made my day @Happyish

 

[Deleted member 626500]

I do not think it's pretentious to pile on jewelry, and the way you layer two 20s is stunning! I think you are right though about piling on three 20s; it will be so busy. The eye is going to go bonkers and not even bother to pause.

I know VCA is pricey; however, most people have no idea about VCA. Zero, zippo. They just think it's a bunch of colorful clover necklaces. For those people, you will come across as a very stylish lady! For those that do know about VCA, it will be 100% admiration of your pieces! A win-win.

Also, food for thought as you pile on...
Many people pile on costume jewelry. Piling on is a fashion statement, not a price (e.g. pretentious) statement.

Jewelry is your thing, so embrace it. Pile it on if you wish; it's your fashion look.
Jewelry is my thing too, and I make no excuses for my love of jewelry. All my friends know I love jewelry. When I wear a bold piece, close friends will compliment my jewelry and sometimes add "you sure love your bling." I make no excuses and never defend myself. I embrace it and respond with a big ear-to-ear grin... "I sure do... I love my bling, it's my thing!"

And by the way, two 20s is not really piling it on; it's very elegant and stylish as in your photos. It's a gorgeous look!

I love your attitude--and thank you for your lovely compliments.

One of the nicest comments I ever received was when I was grocery shopping. I had stopped at Trader Joe's on my way home and was wearing my YG WMOP 20-motif Alhambra. A young girl stopped me and wanted to know where I bought my necklace. I didn't want to say "Van Cleef and Arpels" (it sounded so pretentious). At a loss for words, I blurted out something like "a little place in Beverly Hills". She said she thought it was very beautiful.

I've treasured that remark because she responded to the design not the brand. That's one of the reasons I buy VCA.

The other thing I've noticed, is that VCA pieces are extremely comfortable. I've had earrings from other concerns, that, no matter how many adjustments have been made, remain painfully uncomfortable. Necklaces dig into the back of my neck and as the day wears on, feel oppressive. In others, bracelets turn and circumnavigate my wrist so the top rests on the underside--they're a nuisance. Brooches with a single stem flop and look sloppy. And when a clasp requires two people to secure it, or if it keeps coming undone and you have to constantly check to make sure you haven't lost it--forget about it.

I have a wide range of VCA and have never had a fit issue (yes, chains may need to be shortened, and earrings adjusted, but that's about it). It's easy and comfortable to wear, but there's a reason for that; someone has thought the piece through and eliminated any potential problems so there aren't any. It's not must manufactured. It's engineered.

Face it, I'm a fan . . .

 

[Deleted member 626500]

My goodness, I was away for a few days and I come back to so much goodness..my eyes missed the eye candy here and your pics made my day @Happyish

Thank you, thank you. I'm so flattered--you and @BigAkoya made my day!

 

[DS2006]

Wearing this a lot this spring - all yellow gold, hammered, mother of pearl, and blue agate. I like wearing “3” bracelets at a time.

I can't believe this, but when you replied to my post about not buying the yg blue agate bracelet, I totally missed your post with this picture! It's a good thing, because I probably would have immediately called that SA back to send me that bracelet!!! Love it with the solid gold and the mop!